Where the Wild Things Go….to Play

Ways to be outdoors you may not have thought of:

Scotland is famed the world over for its wild hinterlands, mossy glens, craggy mountains and rugged coast. Each year millions of tourists flock to our small country to climb, fish, golf, cycle, ski – sometimes on heather, occasionally on snow, but there are lots of things going on out there that you may not have even considered.

Wilderness SUP

According to Wilderness SUP founder, Barry Wallace, Stand Up Paddling (SUP) is the world’s fastest growing water sport. On first sight it may look a little static, like a misplaced gondolier but allow your preconceptions to be challenged.

An inflatable SUP can be packed into a rucksack, allowing you to hike to remote stretches of water that would be inaccessible or troublesome for other water sports. SUP is less technical than other water sports – beginners grasp the basics in one hour – and there are more advanced options such as white water SUP. On the sea an SUP can be used similarly to a surfboard, it’s easier to catch waves and there’s no need to worry about the tedious business of ‘popping’ up.

The chaps at Wilderness SUP are an open minded bunch, willing to be led into the wilds at the whim of their clientele. They’ll go where you want, lay on camp lunches from locally sourced ingredients and tailor trips to your requirements. In the next few months they plan lots of summer pop-up events with taster sessions for £20. They’ve been popping up in Perthshire and East Lothian quite a bit.

EcoYoga Centre

Tucked away at the end of Loch Awe, in Argyll is a patch of land, 5 acres or so that have been dedicated to the pursuit of off-grid tranquility, yoga, relaxation and some pretty wild looking bathing.

Guests are welcomed on a nightly self-catering basis, or for specific yoga centered holidays with visiting teachers. If you’re worn thin and need some serious re-charging, this could be the one for you.

Indulge in some pretty wild looking outdoor bathing at the EcoYoga Centre

Kite Boarding

This is one for adventurous, thrill seekers who don’t mind being dunked in the briny sea. Windy Dayz Kite School is based in Fife but ply their sport on a range of beaches; Pettycur Bay, Gullane, Shell Bay, St Andrews or Leven. They also offer road trips to the Hebrides and seem genuinely open to suggestion inviting people to ‘get in touch and we’ll see what we can do.’

Windy Dayz Kite Boarding

As a taster they offer a 3 hours introduction to Kite Boarding, wind dependent, you’ll have a chance to fly fun foil trainer kites and also a fully inflated kite in the water.

Cliff Jumping

OK, so we’ve all had days at work that make us feel like we want to jump off a cliff but we’d never actually do it. Would we? Would you?

If the answer is, Yes, then Naelimits may be just what you’re looking for. A bunch of outdoor enthusiasts who will show you how to cliff jump, or Tombstone, as it’s also know. Here’s how they describe it:

“The activity starts with a wee scramble into a beautiful gorge. After a short paddle/swim, a natural rock shute offers the first bit of fun…….Then it’s onto our first cliff jumping points.”

We have to confess it does actually sound quite fun. More info here: Naelimits.

WWOOF

This one isn’t limited to Scotland, indeed opportunities exist the world over and getting involved can lead you off into adventures you’d never even considered. WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms and essentially it’s a programme co-ordinating volunteers for organic farms and small holdings.

There are lots of opportunities in Scotland and worldwide, volunteers are expected to engage in horticulture related tasks for 4-6 hours a day in exchange for a full day’s food and accommodation. Another way to holiday, take time out, gap year or explore the outdoor environment.